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Heart to Heart

    by Pat Chwialkowski

Spiritual Gymnastics
Date Posted: August 8, 2012

The Summer Olympics have been very entertaining this year, especially when the fabulous five performed their superb gymnastic routine. I have to admit I favor the gymnastics events over any other. Maybe it’s because I am a gymnast at heart…both in the physical as well as in the spiritual realm. Let me explain.

This month marks 30 years since I have asked Jesus to take my wheel. It was on a hot summer night when I realized I could not do it anymore. I called out to God just as the song says and asked God to take over.

I began living a new life from that night on, even though much of my old life was still around. I really can’t say how much of myself I surrendered to God at that time, but I discerned it was not "my all". I’ve come to realize that in the very beginning of our spiritual journeys God readily accepts only what we are willing to give Him. In other words, if we only surrender our big toe…He will just take our big toe. He is not a pushy God.

Therefore my journey began with one foot (or maybe one toe) in God’s world, while my other foot remained in my old world. However, as the years progressed I could feel the gap between these two worlds widening. Nonetheless, I was still able to maintain my balance somehow, even though each year I grew a little more uncomfortable.

Knowing I could never do the splits (both in the physical world and in the spiritual world) I found myself lately getting overwhelmed as God allowed the space between these two worlds to grow even further apart. I knew if I did not do something soon, I would surely topple over. I was now forced to choose which side I wanted to jump to. Would I be willing to completely surrender to God’s world, or would I choose the other world and all it luring to satisfy my flesh?

I wish I could say that my decision was a quick one. For after all, God had given me so much over the past 30 years. However, I’m quite aware of who I am in the heart of me, and I know my flesh is weak, and it surely likes to be pampered. Thus, my quest began as I pondered what world did I want to give myself completely to.

After much soul searching I am happy to report I have chosen to completely jump over, (maybe leap is a better word) over to God’s world. Aaaah…what relief! I no longer have to balance that awkward position of having a foot in both worlds. I am now standing firmly and completely on Jesus. No more spiritual gymnastics.

I’m embarrassed that it has taken me this long, but I guess the old saying is true, “Better late than never”.

I have to be satisfied that I never could or never will be able to do the splits, regardless of what arena it is in. But I am content knowing that I have made the right decision. And in regards to being a gymnast…well I can still do a pretty mean somersault!

He lifted me out of the slimy pit, and mire;

he set my feet and gave me a firm place to stand.

Psalm 40:2

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Biography Information:

Founder and Director of Key Ministries located in Lexington South Carolina.  You can reach us at keyministries@yahoo.com.  .

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